Pipe Cleaner Craft Kit

ABSTRACT

A craft project having base with a body and a plurality of limbs or attachments with the body and attachments having a plurality of holes for receiving ends of pipe cleaners such that a first end of a pipe cleaner can be inserted into a first hole, the pipe cleaner can then be wrapped tightly about the body or attachments, and then a second end of the pipe cleaner can be inserted into a second hole in the body or limb to fasten, and so on to create a unique pipe cleaner craft.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims the benefit of the filing date of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/818,288 filed by the present inventor on Mar. 14, 2019.

The aforementioned provisional patent application is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

None.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to craft projects, and more particularly, to a craft using pipe cleaners.

Brief Description of the Related Art

Pipe cleaners have been used for many years in arts and crafts projects. While these pipe cleaner crafts have been popular, they often suffer from being fragile or difficulties in keeping the pipe cleaners in place once the craft is completed. Further, the prior crafts did not allow for complex and/or detailed designs to be easily completed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In a preferred embodiment, the present invention is a craft project or kit having base with a body and a plurality of limbs or attachments with the body and attachments having a plurality of holes for receiving ends of pipe cleaners such that a first end of a pipe cleaner can be inserted into a first hole, the pipe cleaner can then be wrapped tightly about the body or attachments, and then a second end of the pipe cleaner can be inserted into a second hole in the body or limb which holds it in place. Hole patterns can be simple or complex allowing for a wide range of user skill sets to build a similarly wide range of finished colors and textures for each pipe cleaner craft project as described in the present invention.

Still other aspects, features, and advantages of the present invention are readily apparent from the following detailed description, simply by illustrating a preferable embodiments and implementations. The present invention is also capable of other and different embodiments and its several details can be modified in various obvious respects, all without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the drawings and descriptions are to be regarded as illustrative in nature, and not as restrictive. Additional objects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows and in part will be obvious from the description or may be learned by practice of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the present invention and the advantages thereof, reference is now made to the following description and the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is an assembly diagram of a rigid body or base for a pipe cleaner craft project in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram of partially completed pipe cleaner craft project in accordance with the present invention.

FIGS. 3A-3D are diagrams of a portion of a rigid body or base of a pipe cleaner project in accordance with the present invention.

FIGS. 4A-4F are diagrams of a second portion of a rigid body or base of a pipe cleaner project in accordance with the present invention.

FIGS. 5A-5F illustrate the steps for completing the body of a pipe cleaner horse in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 6A-6G illustrate the steps of completing the head of a pipe cleaner horse in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 7A-7E illustrate the steps of completing the legs of a pipe cleaner horse in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 8A-8D illustrate the steps for completing the head of a pipe cleaner panda in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 9A-9D illustrate the steps of completing the body of a pipe cleaner panda in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 10A-10C illustrate the steps of completing the feet of a pipe cleaner panda in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 11A-11B illustrate the steps of completing the legs of a pipe cleaner panda in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The preferred embodiments of the inventions are described with reference to the drawings. A base assembly 100 of a pipe cleaner project in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. 1. The base assembly 100 has a body 110, a plurality of limbs 200, and a head 300. The head have a skull portion 310, a jaw portion 330 and a peg 312. Each of the body 110, the limbs 200, and the head 300 has a plurality of holes 102, 202. The body 110 has holes 114 for receiving pegs 206 on limbs 200 and a hole for receiving peg 312 on the head 300. The pegs 206 are inserted into the holes 114 in the body 110 to attach the limbs 200 to the body 110. The head 300 similarly has a peg 312 that inserted into a hole 114 in a neck portion of the body 110. The body 110 has a recessed surface 116 surrounding each hole 114 for opposing a surface 204 on a limb to provide support for the limb 200. The holes 102 on the body 110, 202 on the limbs 200 and head 300 are for receiving ends of pipe cleaners.

As shown in FIG. 2, a plurality of pipe cleaners are attached to the body 110 and limbs 200. The pipe cleaners are attached by inserting a first end of a pipe cleaner into a hole 101, or 202 and then wrapping the pipe cleaner tightly around the body 110 or limb 200 and then inserting the second end of the pipe cleaner into another hole 101 or 202. The craft can be built free form by selecting color, size and texture of each pipe cleaner, or, by following directions specific to the holes available and pipe cleaners provided for a specific design, a low skilled crafter can achieve very highly skilled results in a very short period of time. The attachment of pipe cleaners to the skull 310 and the jaw 330 is illustrated in FIGS. 3A-3D and 4A-4F. 3d mechanical models that form the main parts of the pipe cleaner project are detailed to provide the basic dimension and working platform, pipe cleaner holes & locations, alignment holes & pegs and also exaggerating hard surfaces (e.g. nose, ears per FIG. 6) dimensions to match the finished dimensions once covered in pipe cleaners. The main parts of the frame are likely made of injection molded or 3d printed plastic for the preferred embodiment. With this structure, a wide variety of craft projects can be made.

For example, a pipe cleaner horse using the present invention is shown in FIGS. 5A-7E. FIG. 5A illustrates a first step of wrapping a neck portion of a pipe cleaner horse kit in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5B illustrates a second step of filling a second area of a neck portion of a pipe cleaner horse kit in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5C is a front view illustrating a third step of wrapping around the neck area and starting to wrap between the legs of a pipe cleaner horse kit in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5D is a side view illustrating the third step of wrapping around the neck area, starting to wrap between the legs, and starting to wrap around the chest of a pipe cleaner horse kit in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5E is a front view illustrating a fourth step of filling in the areas around the neck, chest and legs of a pipe cleaner horse kit in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5F is a side view illustrating the fourth step of filling in the areas around the neck, chest and legs of a pipe cleaner horse kit in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 6A-6G illustrate how to wrap the horses head with pipe cleaners. In FIG. 6A, the pipe cleaner is cut to a first length and placed on the head by inserting the ends of the cut pipe cleaner into holes in the head. In FIG. 6B, additional pipe cleaners are cut to a second length and placed on the head in a similar manner. In FIG. 6C, pipe cleaners are cut to appropriate lengths to go over the eyes of the horse. This is done on both sides of the head. In FIG. 6D, pipe cleaners are cut to go under the eyes of the horse. Again, this is done on both sides of the head. In FIG. 6E, additional pipe cleaners are cut to fill in between the eyes and ears. In FIG. 6F, pipe cleaners are cut to long and short lengths, as shown, and used to fill the area under the eyes, alternating the long and short pipe cleaners. This is repeated on both sides of the head. In FIG. 6G, pipe cleaners are cut to fill in the area underneath the horse's head. The pipe cleaners used may be of one color or multiple colors.

FIGS. 7A-7E illustrate how to wrap the horse's legs. In FIG. 7A, a pipe cleaner is started at a hole just behind the hoof. In FIG. 7B, the pipe cleaner is wrapped around the leg. This should stop at the ankle bone and the pipe cleaner should be pulled through a hole at the ankle bone and pulled tight to lock the pipe cleaner in place. In FIG. 7C, continue wrapping the pipe cleaner until it is about one inch from the end. Then go through the closest hole and pull tight. Cut or snip off the end of the pipe cleaner. In FIG. 7D, start a new pipe cleaner in the same hole on the side the prior pipe cleaner entered. Continued wrapping until about 1 inch form the end of the pipe cleaner. Go through the closest hole and pull tight. Again, snip off the end of the pipe cleaner. In FIG. 7E, repeat the steps shown in FIG. 7D until the body of the horse is reached. At that point, put the pipe cleaner through the closest hole and cut offer the remaining pipe cleaner, leaving about ¼ inch. Bend that remaining ¼ inch over to lock the pipe cleaner in place. Cut off the remaining pipe cleaner under the hoof as close to the hoof as possible.

FIGS. 8A-11B illustrate a pipe cleaner kit in the form of a panda bear in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 8A-8E illustrate the steps for preparing the panda head. For each step cut a pipe cleaner to the length shown in the corresponding letter in the figure. As shown in FIG. 8A, start by pushing about ½″ of the end of a pipe cleaner through the hole 810. Reach inside the head and bend the end over to lock the pipe cleaner in place. Then begin wrapping the pipe cleaner around the eye as show in FIG. 8A. Finish the step by pulling the remaining end of the pipe cleaner through the hole 812. Pull the pipe cleaner tight and bend over the end to lock the pipe cleaner in place.

As shown in FIG. 8B, cut pipe cleaners to the lengths B, C and D as shown. Then starting with the two pipe cleaners of length B, start by pushing about ½″ of the end of a pipe cleaner through the hole 820. Reach inside the head and bend the end over to lock the pipe cleaner in place. Then pull the remaining end of the pipe cleaner through the hole 822. Pull the pipe cleaner tight and bend over the end to lock the pipe cleaner in place. Next, using a pipe cleaner cut to length C, start by pushing about ½″ of the end of a pipe cleaner through the hole 830. Reach inside the head and bend the end over to lock the pipe cleaner in place. Then begin wrapping the pipe cleaner around the head as shown in FIG. 8B. Finish the step by pulling the remaining end of the pipe cleaner through the hole 832. Pull the pipe cleaner tight and bend over the end to lock the pipe cleaner in place. Next, using a pipe cleaner cut to length D, start by pushing about ½″ of the end of a pipe cleaner through the hole 840. Reach inside the head and bend the end over to lock the pipe cleaner in place. Then begin wrapping the pipe cleaner around the head as shown in FIG. 8B. Finish the step by pulling the remaining end of the pipe cleaner through the hole 842. Pull the pipe cleaner tight and bend over the end to lock the pipe cleaner in place.

As shown in FIG. 8C, cut pipe cleaners to the lengths E, F and G as shown. Then starting with the three pipe cleaners of length E, start by pushing about ½″ of the end of a pipe cleaner through the hole 850. Reach inside the head and bend the end over to lock the pipe cleaner in place. Then pull the remaining end of the pipe cleaner through the corresponding hole 852. Pull the pipe cleaner tight and bend over the end to lock the pipe cleaner in place. Repeat this with the other two pipe cleaners cut to length E. Next, starting with the three pipe cleaners of length F, start by pushing about ½″ of the end of a pipe cleaner through a hole 860. Reach inside the head and bend the end over to lock the pipe cleaner in place. Then pull the remaining end of the pipe cleaner through the corresponding hole 862. Pull the pipe cleaner tight and bend over the end to lock the pipe cleaner in place. Repeat this with the other two pipe cleaners cut to length F. As shown in FIG. 8D, starting with the two pipe cleaners of length G, start by pushing about ½″ of the end of a pipe cleaner through a hole 870. Reach inside the head and bend the end over to lock the pipe cleaner in place. Then pull the remaining end of the pipe cleaner through the corresponding hole 872. Pull the pipe cleaner tight and bend over the end to lock the pipe cleaner in place. Repeat this with the other pipe cleaner cut to length F.

As shown in FIG. 9A, cut pipe cleaners to the lengths I, J and K as shown. Then starting with the seven pipe cleaners of length I (3 black and four white), start by pushing about ½″ of the end of a pipe cleaner through the hole 910. Reach inside the head and bend the end over to lock the pipe cleaner in place. Then pull the remaining end of the pipe cleaner through the corresponding hole 912. Pull the pipe cleaner tight and bend over the end to lock the pipe cleaner in place. Repeat this with the remaining pipe cleaners cut to length I. Next, with the pipe cleaners of length J (2 black and 4 white), start by pushing about ½″ of the end of a pipe cleaner through a hole 920. Reach inside the head and bend the end over to lock the pipe cleaner in place. Then pull the remaining end of the pipe cleaner through the corresponding hole 922. Pull the pipe cleaner tight and bend over the end to lock the pipe cleaner in place. Repeat this with the other pipe cleaners cut to length J. Next, with the pipe cleaners of length K (4 black and 14 white), start by pushing about ½″ of the end of a pipe cleaner through a hole 930. Reach inside the head and bend the end over to lock the pipe cleaner in place. Then pull the remaining end of the pipe cleaner through the corresponding hole 932. Pull the pipe cleaner tight and bend over the end to lock the pipe cleaner in place. Repeat this with the other pipe cleaners cut to length K. As shown in FIG. 9B, now add a tail.

Next, as shown in FIG. 9C, pipe cleaners are cut to lengths L and M. Then starting with the six pipe cleaners of length L (one black and five white), start by pushing about ½″ of the end of a pipe cleaner through the hole 940. Reach inside the head and bend the end over to lock the pipe cleaner in place. Then pull the remaining end of the pipe cleaner through the corresponding hole 942. Pull the pipe cleaner tight and bend over the end to lock the pipe cleaner in place. Repeat this with the remaining pipe cleaners cut to length L. Next, as shown in FIGS. 9C and 9D, with the pipe cleaner of length M (white), start by pushing about ½″ of the end of a pipe cleaner through a hole 950. Reach inside the head and bend the end over to lock the pipe cleaner in place. Then pull the remaining end of the pipe cleaner through the corresponding hole 952. Pull the pipe cleaner tight and bend over the end to lock the pipe cleaner in place.

Next, the feet are prepared as shown in FIGS. 10A, 10B and 10C. Use a full length black pipe cleaner when no cut length is indicated. The number of wraps will differ from user to user based on how tightly the pipe cleaners are wrapped. As shown in FIG. 10A, start in the hole under a foot. Perform a plurality of wraps (possibly four warps) through the large hole to form the front of the foot. Then, as shown in FIG. 10B, perform a plurality of wraps (possibly three) around the foot. Push the end through the ankle hole and cut the remaining pipe cleaner. Next, as shown in FIG. 10C, start in the end hole exit point from FIG. 10B, and continue wrapping in the same direction.

Next, the legs are wrapped as shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B. Cut a black pipe cleaner to length H. Starting with the end hole entrance from FIG. 10C, continue wrapping with the pie cleaner of length H in the same direction. Due to the slight variation in the distance between holes, the amount of remaining pipe cleaner length will differ slightly from use to use. When the leg is completely wrapped, insert the end of the pipe cleaner though a hole and pull tight from the inside.

Next, snap the pieces of the panda bear together.

The invention, however, is not limited to animals, but rather, the invention could be used with any object, such a car, plane, train or building.

The foregoing description of the preferred embodiment of the invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed, and modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings or may be acquired from practice of the invention. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to explain the principles of the invention and its practical application to enable one skilled in the art to utilize the invention in various embodiments as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the claims appended hereto, and their equivalents. The entirety of each of the aforementioned documents is incorporated by reference herein. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A craft project kit comprising: a body having a plurality of holes for receiving ends of pipe cleaners, said body have a plurality of recessed surfaces with each said recessed surface having an alignment hole for receiving an alignment peg; a plurality of limbs having holes for receiving pipe cleaners, each said limb having a support surface having an alignment peg extending from it; and a plurality of pipe cleaners, where said pipe cleaners are selected to form the texture and colors of the final craft, as built by following instructions, or in free form as determined by the crafter; and a 3D printable or injection moldable body base designed with optimally placed holes and final hard surfaces exaggerated in dimension to match the thickness of the pipe cleaners to be used once covered. 